A nother one of those great landmarks that has seen better times. The Nueces County Courthouse lies just out of reach of Corpus Christi’s tourist district -- a temptation to those stricken with the architecture bug. Though it is officially neo-classical in design, it fits in very well with the Spanish colonial designs so common in the area. It has been victimized by an unfortunate renovation effort on the north side; an effort that appears to have been abandoned around the same time the building was surrounded with razor wire. This is the second courthouse on this spot. The first was built in 1856. Since the city is frequently lashed by hurricanes, the new courthouse was built extra-tough. It is an exuberance of poured concrete, stonework, steel beams, and other reinforcement. Even the chair rails are made of marble.
A plaque outside reads:
"Nueces County Courthouse of 1914. In 1853 lawlessness in Nueces County, which covered most of the area from Corpus Christi to the Mexican border, prompted the construction of the first county courthouse on this block. Three lots were purchased for $300 from Corpus Christi founder, Henry Lawrence Kinney (1814-1865). A second courthouse was built in the mid-1870s beside the first. Under the administration of county judge Walter E. Timon (1872-1952), this neo-classical structure was completed in 1914 at a cost of $250,000. The architect, Harvey L. Page (1859-1934) of Washington, D.C., designed the International & Great Northern railroad station in San Antonio and Laguna Gloria in Austin, home of former Corpus Christi resident Clara Driscoll. Additions were made to the buildings in the 1930s and 1960s. Courtrooms and offices were on the first four floors. The top two floors, separated from the rest of the building by an air space to eliminate noise, served as the jail. In addition to government offices, apartments were provided until the 1950s for the jailer and other county officials. During storms which almost leveled the city, hundreds of refugees sought shelter here. In 1977 County offices moved to a new courthouse building. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1979."
Shelly Roper
Friday, March 2nd, 2007 @ 1:14pm
Rating: Five stars. The hurricane of 1919 destroyed almost everything in Corpus Christi, and there are very few historic buildings in the city for this reason. After the hurricane many survivors found shelter in this rock solid courthouse, one of the only structures still standing.Now, vacant for the last 30 years, many people see this building as an ‘eyesore’ that needs to be torn down. What a tragic loss this would be for the city. Sure, it will cost millions to restore, but this beautiful building is priceless in my opinion. Please, please save the Nueces County Courthouse.
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New York, United States
Shelly Roper
Five stars.